How to Get the Most Out of Property Management Software

Property management software platforms offer a dizzying array of useful features to help you manage your rental business. You may not need every bell and whistle, but you also don’t want to miss out on a feature that can save you time and money—especially if you’re paying for the use of the software.

So how do you get the most out of your property management software? Maximizing your experience isn’t difficult. Property management software was designed specifically for landlords, so it already addresses the primary concerns and daily tasks of maintaining a rental business.

Whether you own many rental properties or only a few, property management software works with the organization you already use to make every day renting easier. Here are just a few ways to get the most out of your property management software.

Use All the Core Features

You’re paying for them; why not use them? If you use property management software but aren’t using all the core features, consider why you aren’t.

Maybe you’re comfortable with the way you’ve always done things. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you may find that the software offers you ways to save time or money on your routine tasks.

Primary features of property management software include rent collection, tenant screening, online lease signing, maintenance management, and tenant communication. If you’re on a feature-based pricing plan, you may be able to simply skip the features you aren’t planning to use. However, if you do pay for the software’s entire core functionality—or if you’re using a free management tool—don’t be afraid to try each feature.

Do you have concerns about security? Property management software is designed to protect you and your tenants’ information and can often be more secure than conventional, paper-based methods. Once you set up your account, software safely and securely manages monthly transactions.

Remember, these software platforms were specifically created to ease landlords’ burdens. By not using a feature, you may be doing work you don’t need to.

Take Advantage of Secondary Features

Beyond its core features, your software might offer exemplary secondary features. These features may include things like a mobile app, rental advertising services, listing syndication, multi-user management, renter’s insurance offerings, and responsive support.

Secondary features are designed to enhance the landlord or tenant experience. A mobile app, for instance, allows you and your tenants to make payments, sign leases, or submit maintenance tickets directly from your smartphone or tablet. Listing syndication can save you countless hours by exporting listings to multiple sites simultaneously. Multi-user management helps landlords give team members access to certain software features.

If you use property management software but aren’t sure what secondary features the company offers, be sure to do some research or inquire about them. Additional features could upgrade your software experience from positive to truly excellent.

Encourage Tenants to Use It

One great feature of property management software is that it isn’t just helpful for you. It’s equally useful for tenants, if they know to use it.

If you want to get the most out of your software, you should encourage your tenants to embrace the technology, too. This might mean devoting time to fielding tenant questions or helping older, less tech-savvy tenants set up their accounts.

You should also be aware of and recommend that tenants use the particular features most helpful to them. For instance, encourage your tenants to set up AutoPay to avoid late fees and last-minute payments. You can also encourage tenants to purchase renter’s insurance on the platform or download the mobile app.

Use Customer Support

Responsive support is an underrated feature of property management software. A software company that can quickly answer questions, address concerns, and fix bugs will cause you fewer frustrations and deliver more value to your business.

If you or your tenants have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the software company’s customer support personnel and resolve the issue. You can’t get the most out of any software if you encounter difficulties you can’t solve on your own.

Additionally, if you have a positive (or negative) experience with customer support, consider leaving a review on a software review site like G2 or Capterra. Your experiences and insight could also help other landlords find an excellent software solution.

Maximize Your Property Management Experience

Whether you choose a more comprehensive pricing plan or stick with free or freemium options, property management software is a significant investment. To get the most out of your purchase, make every effort to fully engage with the platform. You will find that the more you trust your software to do, the better your property management software experience will be.